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Chemistry is truly the central science and underpins much of the efforts of scientists and engineers to improve life for humankind. TheMIT Department of Chemistryis taking a leading role in discovering new chemical synthesis, catalysis, creating sustainable energy, theoretical and experimental understanding of chemistry, improving the environment, detecting and curing disease, developing materials new properties, and nanoscience.

The Chemistry Education Office staff is responsible for administering the educational programs in the Department of Chemistry. Students can find answers to many questions about the undergraduate and graduate programs on the department website, and they are encouraged to stop by and see the staff in the office located in 6-205.

The student-run outreach programs in the Department of Chemistry aim to bring the excitement of chemical sciences to the community through lively demonstrations designed to illustrate a broad range of chemical principles. Graduate students visit science classes in high schools and middle schools in the Greater Boston area with a view to demystifying chemistry through hands-on experiments. ClubChem, an undergraduate chemistry organization, conducts Chemistry Magic Shows for elementary schools and youth programs in the Greater Boston area.

Chemistry is truly the central science and underpins much of the efforts of scientists and engineers to improve life for humankind. MIT Chemistry is taking a leading role in discovering new chemical synthesis, catalysis, creating sustainable energy, theoretical and experimental understanding of chemistry at its most fundamental level, unraveling the biochemical complexities of natural systems, improving the environment, detecting and curing disease, developing materials new properties, and nanoscience.

Advanced Standing Exam (Upperclassmen & Second-Term Freshmen)

This exam is only offered once a year just before the beginning of the fall term. This year the exam is being offered on Wednesday, September 2, 2015 (8:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Location TBA).

General Instructions

The Advanced Standing Exam in chemistry is administered at the same time and is the same exam as the Advanced Standing Exam for incoming freshmen. Please note that if you are an upperclassman or a second-term freshman, you must complete a petition requesting permission to take the exam and stating that you have not taken the exam before or attended 5.111/5.112/3.091 at any time. Please visit the MIT Registrar's Advanced Standing Examination page here to print out the petition form.

Your advisor and the Academic Administrator in the Chemistry Education Office (6-205), Jennifer Weisman, must sign this petition. Please make sure your advisor's room number is on the petition. Once completed and signed, please submit your petition to the Schedules Office (5-111). The deadline for submission of the petition is Friday, August 7, 2015.

What type of exam will the Advanced Standing Exam be?

Like most MIT subjects, chemistry is oriented toward problem-solving rather than memorization. Nearly all of the problems on the Advanced Placement Exam involve calculations or analysis of information. None involve mere memorization. For example, there are no questions like: "Name the metals that are liquids at room temperature" or "What color is lead chromate?" In preparing for this exam, spend your time learning to solve problems of the type listed below quickly and accurately.

Many of the problems on the exam have numerical answers. Most of the credit for solving a particular problem will be given for providing the correct answer together with a clear demonstration of how the answer was obtained. Correct logic that leads to an incorrect numerical answer will receive some credit, but usually no more than 30-50% of the point value of the problem. The exam will be accompanied by a list of required physical constants and equations as well as a periodic table of the elements. Bring a scientific calculator (no graphing calculator) with you to the exam and a writing implement. You may not use notes or books during the exam. You will be allowed 3 hours of time to work the exam.

How do I find out my exam results?

All examination results are reported to the Registrar. A second-term freshman must receive a C or better to receive credit for 5.111 and to fulfill the chemistry portion of the General Institute Requirements. However, only a passing grade will appear on your transcript. If you are an upperclassman, the grade you receive, even if it is a failing one, will remain on your permanent transcript. An upperclassman must receive a D or better to receive credit for 5.111. Your exam results will be mailed to your advisor.

What should I bring to the exam?

Bring a scientific calculator (no graphing calculators) with you to the exam and a writing implement. Sophisticated calculators with extensive memory, cellular phones, and smartphones will not be allowed. Bring your temporary MIT ID. Do not bring notes or books to the exam. Water will be provided in the exam room.

What type of problems will be on the exam?

The content of the Advanced Standing Exam parallels the major topics of Chemistry 5.111 and 5.112, which are taught from lectures, workbooks, and class notes, as well as from a textbook.

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Exam Preparation:

5.111 and 5.112 content can be found at MITOpenCourseWare (OCW). Here you will be able to review topics, watch lecture videos (5.111 only) and work practice problems. Although, not an exact guide, these sites and the textbook practice problems will be a useful approximation of the types of questions you will answer on the advanced standing exam.

The textbook for 5.111 and 5.112 for Fall 2011 is Chemical Principles by Atkins and Jones, 5th edition, Houghton Mifflin 2009, ISBN# 978-1429219556. The 4th edition was used previously (ISBN# 978-1429209656). Pratice problems from both editions are listed below.